Stafford, Donald led the Rams to a 30-23 win over the Cardinals

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GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) From first game to last, Aaron Donald and the Los Angeles Rams have shown that they are still a heavyweight in the NFC West.

The six -time All -Pro finished with three sacks – the first in the first game from scrimmage and the last over time – while Matthew Stafford threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Rams past the Arizona Cardinals 30-23 on Monday night.

That’s the best thing to do. They play their best when the best is required, ” Rams coach Sean McVay said. ” We’re talking about being competitive all the time and this person is the epitome of being competitive. Really proud of Aaron. I’m not surprised. ”

The Cardinals (10-3) had to wait at least a week before claiming their first place in the playoffs since 2015. Kyler Murray threw two interceptions that led to Rams touchdowns.

Cooper Kupp and Odell Beckham Jr. both got touchdowns. for the Rams (9-4), who won their second straight, pulled within a game of the Cardinals in the division and looked rejuvenated following three straight losses in November.

Kupp had 13 catches for 123 yards, the eighth 100-yard game this season for the receiving NFL leader.

The Cardinals had a chance to tie the game in the final seconds after recovering an onside kick. But a holding call erased Murray’s long run in the first play of the drive and Arizona couldn’t produce a last -second miracle. In the last play, Donald rushed to Murray and the quarterback fell to the turf instead of being run over by the 280-pound defensive lineman.

” We had a game plan, we stayed here and it was fun, ” Donald said.

Stafford-with plenty of protection and time to throw most of the night-hit Van Jefferson on a high-arching pass for a 52-yard touchdown to push the Rams ahead 20-13 early in the third quarter. The veteran quarterback dissected a Cardinals defense that has been one of the best against passes in the NFL this season.

After a few plays, Murray was taken for a second time. Leonard Floyd hit the ball in the air, caught it and then rumbled downfield to Arizona 19. After seven plays, Stafford hit a diving Kupp for a 4-yard touchdown and the Rams led 27-13.

James Conner broke the Rams defense for an 8-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 27-20.

Murray finished with a 383 -yard pass as the Cardinals tried to catch up late.

Arizona’s Matt Prater scored his second 53-yard field goal in the first half-shortly after Murray scrapped 16 yards and stuck to the boundary with 1 second left-to tie the game 13-all at halftime . The six-play, 35-second drive ended the back-and-forth first half that saw both teams take the lead and then lose it.

” Not very clean but I thought the effort was as good as we had from start to finish, ” Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury said. ” Some adverse situations and the boys continued to fight and stayed in the game, but not clean enough at any stage. ”

Prater opened the scoring with his first 53-yard kick. Arizona threatened to score again in the first quarter, but Murray was taken by Ernest Jones on second-and-goal from 4 after Donald diverted the pass.

Donald had a big first quarter that also included a sack, a tackle for defeat and a quarterback rush. He has 10 sacks this season.

The Rams converted Jones ’blocking to a touchdown when Stafford found Beckham for a 2-yard score. Stafford completed all seven of his passes on the trip.

” The boys we need to play well have grown up, ” Stafford said.

This is Beckham’s third touchdown since joining the Rams last month. He has had no touchdowns in six games in Cleveland this season. It was also the first time he had scored touchdowns in three consecutive games since 2015.

NOSE FOR END ZONE

Conner scored his first TD from 1 yard outside late in the second quarter, which exploded in the end zone on the second effort after jumping from a pile. He scored a touchdown in seven straight games, tying the Cardinals record set by John David Crow in 1960.

PROBLEMS OF COVID-19

The Rams played without defensive back Jalen Ramsey and tight end Tyler Higbee, both of whom were placed on the COVID-19 list on Monday. This is the first game the two players have missed this season.

Ramsey arrived on Monday to lead the team with three interceptions. Higbee had 44 receptions for 395 yards and three touchdowns.

AT HOME

The Cardinals are 7-0 away from home but 3-3 at State Farm Stadium.

40 AND THIS

Andrew Whitworth of LA made NFL history by becoming the first player to start a left tackle game at age 40.

INJURIES

Rams: LA has hired back linebacker Justin Hollins, who has not missed nine games due to injury.

Cardinals: Arizona activated DL Rashard Lawrence (calf) and long snapper Aaron Brewer (broken arm) before the game. Left guard Justin Pugh was also active, though he didn’t start. … DeAndre Hopkins and Conner both escaped the field after the game but Kingsbury said he did not believe the injuries were serious.

NEXT

Rams: Host Seattle on Sunday.

Cardinals: In Detroit on Sunday.

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